Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXV

On Saturday, October 6, and Sunday, October 7, 2018, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at the 34th annual Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival.
  
During the festival, CBMM guests can marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft while enjoying the museum’s waterfront campus and indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Hundreds of amateur and professional boatbuilders and enthusiasts come from all over the region to display their one-of-a-kind kayaks, canoes, and other traditional small craft.
  
Sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams, and one-of-a-kind boats will be on display and in the water throughout this family-oriented event. Small craft owners hailing from all over the country will also be available to share their knowledge and boating experiences with guests. 

The festival was previously combined with CBMM’s Maritime Model Expo, which will now take place during CBMM’s free Community Day in May.
 
Scenic river cruises aboard the 1920 buyboat Winnie Estelle, live music, along with food and beverages will be available to round out the weekend festival. 
 
Participants arrive Friday night, while museum boatyard staff and Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School instructors will be on hand Saturday to offer boatbuilding workshops and maritime demonstrations. Beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, a lively Miles River race of small craft can be watched from CBMM’s waterfront and docks. Festival-goers can also vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. 
 
On Sunday, festival-goers are invited to bring nautical items to swap or sell at a traditional swap meet before heading home.

For safety reasons, dogs are not permitted on museum grounds during CBMM festivals, with the exception of certified service dogs. Leashed dogs from boat and land are permitted on CBMM grounds on non-festival days.